ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-01070R000200730004-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 27, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: June 6, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-01070R000200730004-4
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
6 June 1983
NICARAGUA/ DAVID BRINKLEY: Good evening. in Nicaragua, the Sandinista
U.S. EXPULSIONS government accused three diplomats in the American Embassy of
plotting the murder of Nicaraguan leaders and gave then 24 hours
to get out of the country. The embassy said the charges were
absurd. But in any case, the three will have to get out.
Here's ABC's Barrie Dunsmore at the State Department.
DUNSISORE: The U.S. Embassy in Managua has confirmed that three
American diplomats are being expelled by the government of
Nicaragua. They include Linda Pfeifel, the Political Affairs
officer, David Greig, a fist secretary, and Ermila Rodriguez, a
second secretary. They are accused of criminal actions,
plotting the assassination of government leaders, and trying to
recruit dissidents. In Washington, the State Department
vigorously denied the charges. ALAN' ROMBEERG (State Department
Spokesman): We reject the Nicaraguan allegations that our
personnel were engaged in non-diplomatic activities, and we are
protesting this action t?o the government of Nicaragua.
DUNSMORE: This afternoon it Managua, *Lenin Cyrna, the head of
state security police, presented what his government alleges is
evidence for his charges. Be introduced a Nicaraguan national
named *Marlene honcata, when he claimed the CIA tried to recruit
when she was a secretary at the Nicaraguan embassy in Honduras,
but who in fact was a double agent. Cyrna pointed to the tools
of the spy trade Miss honcata was allegedly given by the CIA, a
portable two-way radio., special paper and pads which can be
swallowed and digested, and he produced a battle of wine which-
he charged was laced with lethal poison and was intended for
Nicaragua's foreign minister. Miguel D'Escoto. Then a video
tape was shown of Moncata leaving a school with a woman she
alleges was her contact in Managua, Ermila Rodriguez, of the
U.S. Embassy. Finally, Moncata was shown retrieving a package,
which it is claimed she was directed to by Miss Rodriguez and
which contained the poison wine. The assassination attempt
case, as documented by the Nicaraguans, is very thin. bo one
denies that the U.S. tries to encourage the opposition in
Nicaragua, but all that the pictures shown today prove is that
an alleged double agent and a U.S. Embassy official had some
kind of contact. One other observation, of all the Nicaraguan
officials the U.S. might wish weren't there. Foreign Minister
D'Escoto is at the bottom of the.list. He is the least powerful
of the Sandinistas, and the easiest for Washington to deal with.
Barrie Dunsmore, ABC News, the State Department.
BRINKLEY: Later tonight on-Nightline, a live interview with
Nicaraguan's foreign minister.
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 Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-01070R000200730004-4
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
6 June 1983
NICARAGUA/ M=D: Relations between the Reagan administration and the left
U.S. EXPULSIONS wing government of Nicaragua today went from bad to worse. The
The Sandinista government expelled three American diplomates on
charges of plotting criminal activites. The U.S. Embassy in
Managua called the charges simply absurde. Here's diplomatic
correspondent Marvin Kalb.
KALB: A news conference today in Managua conducted by the
director general of security, a Nicaraguan officer named *Lenin
Cyrna. This video tape, purchased by the American networks from
the Nicaraguan government for Z$2,600 each. *Cyrus accused the
CIA of trying to assassinate Nicaragua's Foreign Minister Miguel
D'Escote and other top leaders. he also accused the U.S. of
trying to destabilize the Sandinista regime, and he showed what.
he called proof of the three American diplomats engaged in the
alleged effort. One of them, Ermila Rodriquez, identified as a
second secretary, shown getting into a car, but for what
purpose, is not clear. here in Washington, the: administration
dismissed.the Nicaraguan. charges. State Department Spokesman
Allen Romberg... ROMBER?G: We reject the Nicaraguan allegations
that our personnel were engaged in nondiplomatic activities, and
we are protesting this action to the government of Nicarauga.
KALB: There then followed a strong hint of retaliation.
ROMBERG: We have under consideration on what steps might -be
appropriate in light of this particular action.
FALB: in fact, one and possibly two Nicaraguan diplomats have
already been earmarked for quick expulsion. The President's
special envoy to Nicaragua. Richard Stone. is still expected to
visit Nicaragua this Friday, so U.S. officials say. But it is
also being acknowledged here that relations between the, two
countries are deteriorating so rapidly that a recall of
ambassadors, even a break in diplomatic ties. is now considered
possible. Marvin Kalb, CBS News, the State Department.
MUDD: The United States cut off all aid to Nicaragua two years
ago, claiming the Sandinistas were trying to destabilize Central
America by smuggling weapons to the leftists in El Salvador.
But at the same time the U.S. has doubled its military aid to
Honduras, which borders Nicaragua, and Nicaragua has called our
military presence there.& provocation.
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 Approved For Release 2008/06/27: CIA-RDP88-0107OR000200730004-4
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
6 June 1983
NICARAGUA/ BROKAW: This whole business of covert American aid to a secret
SECRET ARMv army of anti-Sandanista rebels is by now an open secret.
Tonight Robin Lloyd reports on one of the groups supported by
the CIA, and describes their close connection to Honduras as
well.
LLOYD: La.rly morning at a rebel base camp in the mountians of
Northern Nicaragua, a platoon of U.S. backed commandos stands
by. Another guerrilla unit heads off on patrol. The
mission--to?ambush Nicaraguan government troops. At all times
there is radio contact. Rebel sources say almost all of this
equipment and these weapons have been purchased with CIA money,
an estimated SZ2 million this year. Late in the afternoon the
military leader of the region, Commander hack, returns after
weeks on patrol. With him are 40 recruits, and many refugees
who say the Sandinistas have set up their oppressive communist
regime. This mar, says kie decided to join the rebels becuase he
would like to see the day once again when Nicaragua will be
free. That evening, the camp celebrates the return of their
commandant by roasting a pig. The commandos say moral is
growing stronger every day. Despite the fact that the
Anti-Sandinista rebels are now firmly entrenched inside
Nicaragua, it is here in Honduras tht the major decisions are
being made. Honduras is the command center for the rebels, as
well as the key link in their supply line into Nicaragua. The
rebels say they can cdunt or. the support of Honduran military
leader General *Gustavo Alverez. They say he is behind their
movement 100:. Honduras is the base of operations for rebel
leaders like this man, *Lndalecio Rodreguiz, a member of the
rebel's political directorate. The Sandinistas say that the
Honduran military is openly assisting the rebel movement with
helicopters and firepower. Honduras denies this. The rebels
claim that their commandos inside Nicaragua will take over the
country before the end of, the year, a prediction many believe is
overly optimistic. They concede, however, not only on their
soldiers, but more important on continued U.S. aid and the
continued support of Honduras. Robin Lloyd, NBC News, Honduras,
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